The Briarcliff Trophy Race, Part 2: the 1934 Race. Notebook 2024-12 — Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society

The Start of a long grind. Mrs. Olivia Conway, woman driver, whose car is at the left, and J. Marshall, driving No. 5 were the first to be flagged away at the start of the 100-mile Briarcliff race. Mrs. Conway, a Scarborough resident was the only woman driver. Until late in the evening before the race Mrs. Conway had been unable to borrow a suitable car, but when the entrants were called to line up in the handicap order she appeared in a red American Austin, not the youngest car on the scene by far, but “something to start in at least,” as she put it. . She completed 27 laps before withdrawing from the race.

The 1934 Briarcliff Trophy Road Race

Most people in Briarcliff Manor are familiar with the 1908 Briarcliff Trophy Race (if not please take a look at: The 1908 Briarcliff Trophy Race. Notebook 2024-3.

But many people may not be aware that this was not the last of the Briarcliff Trophy Races. There were two more, one 1934 and another in 1935. At the BMSHS we were aware that these two races took place, but until recently we had little information about them. However, while going through some old material, BMSHS Executive Director came across a treasure trove of information including the Official Program, and a number of 1934 vintage newspaper articles. Since the 1934 and 1935 races were virtually identical (same course, same winner etc.), and we have more information on the 1934 race, this piece will be limited to that race. After the 1935 race, Road Races in Briarcliff Manor ceased. But there was still another event to come. In 2008 to commemorate the centennial of the original race, a parade of vintage cars drove around the village. Eventually they stopped at Law Park and parked there so members of the public could take a good look at them. Finally, prizes were given out in the pavilion. Another treasure that emerged from Karen’s work was a DVD of the event (Click on the image below to view).

The 1934 race was very different from the one that took place in 1908. Where the 1908 race had a course that covered much of Westchester, the 1934 course was limited to Briarcliff Manor. Also, the 1908 race had not allowed female drivers. It seems that a lot had changed in the intervening years and this time a woman participated: Mrs. Olivia Conway. Unfortunately, she failed to finish. The race consisted of 30 laps over 100miles.

There were three entrance requirements:

No more than 100” wheelbase
No engine larger than 5,000 cubic centimeters
Drivers must be amateurs

Article from Ossining’s Citizen Register from November 12, 1934

10,000 Line Roads to Watch Auto Race; Portland Driver is Winner of Classic.

Langdon Quimby Makes 100 Miles in 2 hours, 7 minutes.

Langdon Quimby, 21-year-old Yale junior, yesterday won the 100-mile automobile marathon on the outskirts of Briarcliff negotiating the hazardous course in the excellent time of 2 hours, 7 minutes.

Competing from scratch, the youthful collegian, who hails from Portland, Me., averaged better than 47 miles an hour in his tiny, black Willy “77” to lead a crack field of 16 amateur drivers from points along the Atlantic Seaboard.

Thomas W. Dewart of New York City and Greenwich, son of the owner of the New York Sun, piloted his speedy M.G. Midget to second place, finishing only 10 seconds behind the winner.

The third to complete the 100-mile grind was Miles Collier, twenty of Pocantico Hills, son of Baron Collier, noted advertising executive. Young collier had a handicap of two laps, as did Dewart, and was clocked at 2 hours, 7 minutes and 50 seconds. He was at the wheel of a British Riley.

Boston Driver Fourth

Robert Love of Boston, driving a Willys “77”, was the only other contestant to complete the full 30 laps that constituted the race, and, with a 22-second time allowance, he was flagged in 2 hours, 9 minutes and 20 seconds.

Four other drivers were still going strong at the end but were halted because the four winners had already been selected. They were Hugh Bancroft, Gordon Curtis and John Rueter, all of Boston and Walter Gerher of New York City.

Mrs. Olivia Conway

Mrs. Olivia Conway, the only female participant

Upwards of 10,000 lined the three-mile rectangular course that lies in the wooded area back of Briarcliff and despite the great speed at which the cars were travelling, there was not a single accident with the exception of a dog that happened to run in the path of one of the roaring machines and was instantly killed.

Mrs. Olivia Conway of Scarborough, the only woman in the marathon became an early favorite among the spectators and completed 27 of the 30 laps in her flashy red Austin before she lost a front wheel on one of the turns and had to withdraw.

Quimby, as the winner of the thrill-packed race, was presented with the Briarcliff Trophy at ceremonies immediately after the event at Briarcliff Lodge. The presentation was made by Mayor Henry H. Law of Briarcliff, son of the later Walter W. Law, who placed the magnificent piece of sterling silver in competition for the famous race of 1908 (sic).

It became apparent soon after the start of the race that Quimby was the boy to watch, for his machine fairly tore up the course. At times on the straight-aways his speedometer registered at better than 80 miles an hour.

Although some of the contestants received handicaps as high as six laps, the plucky Yale student soon forged to the fore and held the lead for the next 10 laps. His motor ran so well that he made only one stop and that was to refuel in the pitts. His machine is something of a home-made job, for he built the body onto the Willys chassis and the four-cylinder engine.

Long before the starting flag thousands flocked to the scene of the race. The greatest part of the activity centered on Tuttle Road where the drivers started and finished their grueling grind. From Tuttle Road the track turned west along Long Hill Road East, then onto Sleepy Hollow Road, into Scarborough Road, then up Pine Road, down Birch Road and back into Tuttle Road.

Action on the curve

A large number of spectators congregated on each of the curves, for it was there that much of the real action of the race took place. There were right angle curves, a “V” and a treacherous hairpin, and these tested to the limit the skill of the various drivers. Despite the hair-breath speeds at which some of the drivers elected to take the turns, there were no spills. Occasionally contestants skidded into the ditch and up the banks but somehow the diminutive machines remained upright, and the drivers were soon speeding on their way.

The race was conducted by the Automobile Racing Club of America. The officials included George H. Granata, starter, David Beecroft, William T. Dewart, and George H. Fearons Jr., stewards; and Frederick H. Amendola and Joh Green, scorers.

The course was thoroughly patrolled through the cooperation of the American Legion Posts of Ossining and Briarcliff, The Briarcliff Manor Fire Department, and the Briarcliff Manor Police Department.

Sources:

Article from Ossining’s Citizen Register. November 12, 1934
Briarcliff Trophy Road Race 1934. Official Road Race Program.
100-Mile Auto Road Race Revisited. Exact source unknown but looks as if It’s from a November issue of the New York Times.
Letter dated December 11, 1934, from an unknown author outlining the entrance requirements for the race.
At the Wheel, by James O. Spearing. New York Times, November 18, 1934.
Amateurs Drive Tiny Cars in Revived Road Race. Quimby Captures 100-Mile Autorace in Briarcliff Revival by Janet Owen. New York Herald Tribune, November 12, 1934.
Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society (BMSHS) files.